Avaliação dos efeitos antifúngicos de fármacos inibidores seletivos da recaptação de serotonina em Cryptococcus gattii / Evaluation of the antifungal effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in Cryptococcus gattii

A criptococose é uma infecção fúngica que acomete tanto indivíduos imunocomprometidos como imunocompetentes. O arsenal antifúngico é limitado, existem relatos de desenvolvimento de resistência fúngica a esses compostos e também alta toxicidade ao paciente. O reposicionamento de fármacos dos inibidores seletivos da recaptação de serotonina (ISRS) tem mostrado ação contra espécies fúngicas, tornando estes compostos alternativas a serem estudadas para o tratamento das infecções criptocócicas. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos antifúngicos em cápsula, biofilme e células planctônicas de Cryptococcus gattii (cepa ATCC 56990 e isolado clínico 5) dos fármacos ISRS, cloridrato de fluoxetina (CF) e cloridrato de paroxetina (CP). Para isso, foi utilizada a técnica de microdiluição em caldo de acordo com European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) para determinar a Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM), sendo a CIM de 31,25 µg/mL determinada para os fármacos CF e CP e ambos os fármacos demonstraram ação fungicida (CIM/CFM = 1). Em seguida foi verificado atividade sinérgica dos fármacos CF e CP combinados com anfotericina B (AmB), como resultado encontramos três concentrações sinérgicas, para CF reduzindo 8 e 4x em relação ao valor de CIM, para CP reduzindo 4x em relação ao valor de CIM e para AmB houve redução de 4x em relação ao valor de CIM. Posteriormente, o efeito dos fármacos mencionados foi avaliado na redução da biomassa do biofilme, por meio da técnica de cristal violeta. Nas concentrações 10x (312,5 µg/mL) e 20x (625 µg/mL) CIM de observou-se a redução da biomassa do biofilme de C. gattii em 57,72% a 76,66% para CF e redução entre 42,69 a 68,03% para CP. Além disso, em concentrações sub- inibitórias, ambos fármacos reduziram o tamanho da cápsula da levedura em até 62,46% para CF e 58,94% para CP. Também foi analisada a viabilidade do biofilme pela contagem de unidades formadoras de colônia/mL, após tratamento com CF e CP 20x valor de CIM e foi observada redução entre 1,21 a 1,446 log na viabilidade do biofilme (p< 0,0001). Ainda, o efeito dos fármacos em biofilme foi avaliado quanto ao efeito na atividade metabólica pelo ensaio XTT nas concentrações 10x e 20x CIM de ambos os fármacos foi possível observar redução entre 39,05% a 84,62% para CF e redução entre 56,99% a 67,64% para CP. Assim, os fármacos avaliados apresentaram potencial antifúngico frente C. gattii em todos os ensaios in vitro, podendo ser considerados novas alternativas para o tratamento deste patógeno (AU)

Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection that affects both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. The antifungal arsenal is limited, there are reports of the development of fungal resistance to these compounds and also high toxicity to the patient. The drug repositioning of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has shown action against fungal species, making these compounds alternatives to be studied for the treatment of cryptococcal infections. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal effects on capsule, biofilm and planktonic cells of Cryptococcus gattii (ATCC strain 56990 and clinical isolate 5) of the SSRI drugs, fluoxetine hydrochloride (FLH) and paroxetine hydrochloride (PAH). For this, the broth microdilution technique was used according to European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), and the MIC of 31.25 µg/mL was determined for the drugs (FLH) and PAH and both drugs demonstrated fungicidal action (MIC/CFM = 1).Then it was verified synergistic activity of the drugs FLH and PAH combined with amphotericin B (AmB), as a result we found three synergistic concentrations, for FLH reducing 8 and 4x compared to the MIC value, for PAH reducing 4x compared to the MIC value and for AmB there was 4x reduction compared to the MIC value. Subsequently, the effect of the mentioned drugs was evaluated in the reduction of biofilm biomass by means of the crystal violet technique. At 10x (312.5 µg/mL) and 20x (625 µg/mL) MIC concentrations of it was observed the reduction of C. gattii biofilm biomass by 57.72% to 76.66% for FLH and reduction between 42.69 to 68.03% for PAH. Furthermore, at sub-inhibitory concentrations, both drugs reduced the yeast capsule size by up to 62.46% for FLH and 58.94% for PAH. The biofilm viability was also analyzed by counting colony forming units/mL, after treatment with FC and CP 20x the MIC value and a reduction between 1.21 to 1.446 log in biofilm viability was observed (p< 0.0001). Also, the effect of the drugs in biofilm was evaluated as the effect on the metabolic activity by the XTT assay in concentrations 10x and 20x MIC of both drugs was possible to observe reduction between 39.05% to 84.62% for FC and reduction between 56.99% to 67.64% for CP. Thus, the drugs evaluated showed antifungal potential against C. gattii in all in vitro assays, and may be considered new alternatives for the treatment of this pathogen.(AU)

Progressão da lesão periapical em animais sob condições de estresse e modulação inflamatória através de bloqueador adrenérgico e inibidor seletivo da recaptação da serotonina / Progression of periapical lesion in animals under stress conditions and inflammatory modulation through adrenergic blocker and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os efeitos do estresse crônico sobre a periodontite apical (PA) induzida em ratos, e avaliar os efeitos do uso da Fluoxetina (antidepressivo da classe dos inibidores da recaptação de serotonina) e do Propranolol (bloqueador beta-adrenérgico), associados ou não, na modulação inflamatória e na reabsorção óssea periapical de ratos estressados. Foram utilizados 40 ratos divididos em cinco grupos: Grupo controle não-estressado (NS); Grupo controle estressado com administração de solução fisiológica (SS); Grupo estressado com administração de Fluoxetina (SF); Grupo estressado com administração de Propranolol (SP); Grupo estressado com administração de Fluoxetina e Propranolol (SFP). Os animais dos grupos estressados foram submetidos ao protocolo de estresse crônico imprevisível durante 6 semanas e as respectivas medicações foram administradas diariamente, via gavagem, ao longo de todo o período experimental. A PA foi induzida em todos os grupos após 21 dias do início do protocolo de estresse e ao final da 6ª semana, os animais foram eutanasiados e as hemimandíbulas e hemimaxilas removidas. Posteriormente foram realizadas as seguintes análises: a) da massa corporal; b) dos níveis séricos de corticosterona por radioimunoensaio; c) dos níveis séricos hormonais e inflamatórios por ensaio Multiplex; e) histomorfométrica por coloração com hematoxilina e eosina; f) da estrutura óssea periapical através de microtomografia computadorizada (micro-CT); g) da expressão gênica de biomarcadores relacionados à atividade osteoclástica, citocinas inflamatórias e metaloproteinases na região periapical por RT-PCR. Ao final do experimento os animais estressados apresentaram menor ganho de massa corporal, níveis séricos de ACTH significativamente mais altos, atividade inflamatória mais intensa e maiores volumes de lesão periapical quando comparados aos animais do grupo controle NS. Os grupos tratados SF, SP e SFP apresentaram menores volumes de lesão periapical quando comparados ao grupo controle SS, e o grupo SP apresentou menor intensidade do infiltrado inflamatório. O teste de RT-PCR mostrou maior expressão de RANKL e TRAP no grupo controle SS, bem como maior expressão de IL-6, IL-10 e IL-17 e MMP-8 quando comparado ao grupo controle NS. Na comparação em relação ao grupo controle SS, o grupo SF apresentou maior expressão de OPG, e menor expressão de IL-6 e IL-17; o grupo SP apresentou maior expressão de OPG e menor expressão de IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, MMP-8 e MMP-13, e o grupo SFP apresentou menor expressão de RANKL, TRAP, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, MMP-8 e MMP-13. Foi concluído que o estresse crônico influenciou negativamente a patogênese da PA e ambos os medicamentos avaliados, bem como sua associação, tiveram efeitos positivos na prevenção da perda óssea e modulação inflamatória.

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of chronic stress on induced apical periodontitis (AP) in rats, and to evaluate the effects of the use of fluoxetine (antidepressant known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), and of Propranolol (beta-adrenergic blocker), associated or not, in inflammatory modulation and periapical bone resorption in stressed rats. Forty rats were divided into five groups: Unstressed control group (NS); Stressed control group with saline solution administration (SS); Stressed group with administration of Fluoxetine (SF); Stressed group with administration of Propranolol (SP); Stressed group with administration of Fluoxetine and Propranolol (SFP). The animals in the stressed groups were submitted to the unpredictable chronic stress paradigm for 6 weeks and the respective medications were administered daily, via gavage, throughout the entire experimental period. AP was induced in all groups, 21 days after the beginning of the stress paradigm, and at the end of the 6th week, the animals were euthanized and the hemi-mandibles removed for the following analyses: a) body weight b) serum corticosterone levels by radioimmunoassay; c) hormone and inflammatory serum levels by Multiplex assay; e) histomorphometric staining with hematoxylin and eosin; f) the periapical bone structure through computerized microtomography; g) gene expression related to osteoclastic activity, inflammatory cytokines and metalloproteinases in the periapical region by RT-PCR. At the end of the experiment, the stressed animals showed lower body weight gain, significantly higher levels of ACTH, more intense inflammatory infiltrate and higher volumes of periapical lesion when compared to animals in the NS control group. The treated groups SF, SP and SFP had smaller volumes of periapical lesion when compared to the SS control group and the SP group had lower intensity of inflammatory infiltrate. The RT-PCR test showed higher expression of RANKL and TRAP in the stressed control group, as well as higher expression of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and MMP-8 when compared to the NS control group. In comparison with the SS control group, the SF group showed higher expression of OPG, and lower expression of IL-6 and IL-17; the SP group showed higher expression of OPG and lower expression of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, MMP-8 and MMP-13 and the SFP group showed lower expression of RANKL, TRAP, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, MMP-8 and MMP-13. It was concluded that chronic stress negatively influenced the pathogenesis of apical periodontitis and both medications evaluated, as well as its association, had positive effects in preventing bone loss and inflammatory modulation.

Fluoxetine effects on periodontogenesis: histomorphometrical and immunohistochemical analyses in rats

Abstract Reports have indicated that serotonin plays an important role in cell migration and differentiation during the organogenesis of several tissues, including the oral types. Administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drugs during pregnancy could affect the delivery of serotonin to embryonic tissues altering its development. Objective This study aimed to assess the effects of fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, on the formation of the periodontal ligament during pregnancy and lactation in rat pups. Material and Methods Twelve pregnant rats of Wistar lineage were divided into four study groups. In the control group, 0.9% sodium chloride solution was administered orally, throughout the entire period of the 21 days of pregnancy (CG group) and in the CGL group, it was administrated during pregnancy and lactation (from day 1 of pregnancy to the 21st day after birth). Fluoxetine was administered orally at the dose of 20 mg/kg in a group treated during pregnancy only (FG group), and during pregnancy and lactation (FGL group). Histometrical, histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis of the maxillary first molar periodontium region of the 24 rat pups was made under light microscopy, and periodontal ligament collagen was qualitatively evaluated under a polarizing light microscope. Results The quantity of fibroblasts (p=0.006), osteoblasts (p=0.027) and cementoblasts (p=0.001) was reduced in pups from the rats that received fluoxetine during pregnancy and lactation. No alterations were seen in the collagen fibers. Conclusion These findings suggest that periodontal tissue may be sensitive to fluoxetine, and its interference in reducing periodontal cells depends on exposure time during lactation.

Morphological aspects of dentin-pulp complex development in the offspring of rats treated with fluoxetine during pregnancy

Aim: To evaluate the morphological aspects of coronal dentinogenesis in the first molars of 1- and 5-day-old rats whose mothers were treated with fluoxetine hydrochloride during pregnancy. Methods: Twelve pregnant Wistar rats were divided randomly into three groups: group C (control), group FL (fluoxetine administered at 10 mg/kg bodyweight), and group FX (fluoxetine administered at 20 mg/kg bodyweight). Saline (0.9%) solution or fluoxetine hydrochloride was administered subcutaneously for the first 21 days of pregnancy. Subsequently, the offspring of these animals was subdivided into subgroups according to age of tooth germ development to be studied: 1 and 5 days of life. C1 and C5 (control group 1 and 5 days of age); FL1 and FL5 (groups treated with 10 mg/kg fluoxetine at 1 and 5 days of age); FX5 and FX1 (groups treated with 20 mg/ kg fluoxetine at 1 and 5 days of age). Results: No structural changes in the dentin-pulp complex of rats whose mothers were treated with fluoxetine hydrochloride were observed at either dose.Conclusions: Fluoxetine, at the doses administered during pregnancy in this study, did not alter the morphological development of the coronal dentin-pulp complex in their offspring.